17th November 2012
Sorry………..a little late I know. Sooooo busy!
Anyhow, the reunion. ‘How was it?’ I hear you ask. There’s only one word I can think of that adequately describes it……FANTASTIC!
I’m so grateful for Joey Bonner’s superb efforts in organising the whole event (she keeps on telling everyone I had a lot to do with it, but I’m sure she put a whole lot more work in than I did). In my mind it ran like clockwork, despite me spending most of my day on Saturday worrying about how it would go, and a few people dropping out that very afternoon.
The game, although a little slow in being organised (my fault) was, for me, the single most enjoyable one I’ve played in for a very long time…..all down to the people who were playing. First, a big thank you to the current club members who very selflessly gave up their time to make up the numbers and joined in. I can’t name them all, but thank you very much once again (and Sam Parker carrying on a family tradition in style I might add. Perhaps I was wrong Sam, and centre half is not your best postion after all!). Second, to the umpires who very graciously gave up their own time on quite a chilly Saturday evening……….THANK YOU! Thirdly, a huge thank you to all the past players for travelling such a long way, well mostly. For me, playing alongside, and against, all of you once again was a very rare thrill. It took me many years, too many in fact, to realise that the hockey for me is not, and never has been just about the playing, but it’s always been about who I’ve been on the pitch playing alongside. So many friends made over the years…..I feel so lucky. And to see a few of them again, even for a very brief period of time, and more importantly to take to the pitch with them………..GREAT!!!
So the reunion match……full of friends old and new, and I was so proud to be a part of it. I had an inkling that it would be that way, which is why I’d spent all week last week with my damaged Achilles wrapped in ice, wearing compression socks nearly every moment possible, and elevating my leg whenever I could, in the hope that I would be able to play just a few minutes. As it happens I managed to make it through the whole match, even though I don’t doubt that by playing I’ve almost certainly added a few weeks to my recovery period. In my STUPID opinion, it was well worth it, and I’d do it all over again, even though I’ve been limping about at school all day today, and could hardly move yesterday.
On to the evening. After playing, and then showering in the gorgeous changing rooms of our spanky, not quite shiny new (a year old) clubhouse, I adjorned to the bar, to be met by a sea of familiar faces. I can’t describe how wonderful it felt to be surrounded by so many friends, some who I hadn’t seen for a very long time. Needless to say, the time zoomed by way too quickly. If ever I needed a Tardis, it was then, well that and my wedding reception, both of which passed far too quickly. At this point I feel like making a roll call of all the fab hockey players that were there, but I just know that due to being more than a little senior, I’m sure I’d unintentionally leave someone out, disappointing them, and me……..so I won’t. It was amazing to see everyone, and for me, to play alongside Ben ‘super duper Welsh international’ Croxall was just great, especially as he’d travelled a very long way to get there, and only stayed a few hours before having to return. Thanks Ben!
Undoubtedly, I could speak a lot longer about my personal experiences on the night, but I’ve already gone on too long, and the evening as far as I was concerned was more about everybody than one individual.
So, great atmosphere, great hockey players, past and present, great umpires and a stunningly great night! Enough said.